Dominican ruling party takes control of all political powers

Santo Domingo.- With Wednesday’s unanimous election of Santo Domingo East mayor Juan de los Santos to head the Dominican Municipalities Federation (Fedomu), Dominican Republic’s ruling PLD party takes control of the last bastion of the country’s political powers, until yesterday controlled by the opposition PRD party.

By attaining the control over the municipal authorities, the PLD completes its dominance of all factual powers, including the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.

De los Santos pledged a push to sign a Municipality Pact with the Executive Branch, based on the Law 166-03, and gradually raise the percentage of the national budget for towns and cities.

He said he’ll improve communication, working relationships and mutual respect between local administrations and national government agencies.

De los Santos, owner of the “Juancito Sport,” the country’s biggest chain of betting parlor, said president Danilo Medina has implemented important measures to benefit the most needy, in which the municipalities will play a key role.

The official hailed the Decree on Government Works Purchases and Contracts, which establishes drawings for projects, for contractors who live and work in the municipalities.